the journal of a vintage clothing aficionado for roughwear,selvedge denim and overalls fanatics....

Monday, July 4, 2011

CELEBRATING AMERICA'S BIRTHDAY IN STYLE....

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY.......

Guyot Suspenders.—A few hundred years ago, the methods of keeping a man's trousers in place were exceedingly vexatious. Strings were attached to the coat, and similar ones to the tops of the breeches, and then tied together to unite the most important parts of man's attire. Aristocrats wore ribbons in place of strings.....

—It might be interesting to know that the genius who invented the only ever famous Suspenders was Charles Guyot, of Paris, France back in 1848. Guyot obtained patents covering his brace all over the world and also registered the trademarks of "Guyot" and "Bretelles Hygieniques" everywhere. The neatness, strength and durability of the webbing and the unvarying quality were characteristics which at that early date were not to be found everywhere and gave the suspender its first start. Another peculiar thing about the Guyot is that its manufacture has been in the hands of the same family for years. The assembly of the Guyot was done by hand in French homes from the materials made at the central plant. Between one-third and one-half of the total Guyot output was sold in America. This brace won for the manufacturers the gold medal at the Paris exposition and the Grand Prix at the St. Louis exposition.

GUYOT certainly deserves the greatest thanks from the entire masculine world, as he was the first to make a joint Suspender combining comfort and health and insuring to the wearer free and easy motion.....

The Guyot Suspenders are justly celebrated today July the 4th with this stunning "red with and blue example". Every part is in perfect condition,the Webbing being tight, the Slides and Buckles patented, and the Button-Holes without tears,—being closed by the loom, another patent of Charles Guyot.

They were known the world over as "Bretelles Hygieniques", and were available in every city in every country for 60 cents an hefty price as its competition and imitators sold their braces for an average 15 cents.....